Anna Louise Shaffer, 96

Anna Louise Shaffer, 96, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. She lived out her final years at Immanuel Living at Buffalo Hills in Kalispell. She died peacefully after suffering a third stroke. She was buried at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Bigfork on Aug. 15. 

Anna was born in the Spring of 1929 in western Pennsylvania. She tragically lost her mom at 6 years old. The Great Depression left a powerful impact on her life in the form of being thrifty and saving. After high school, she married Harvey Robert Shaffer, and they raised their four children, Linda, Richard, Gale and Roberta in rural Pennsylvania. In 1962, the family moved to San Jose, California. Anna did not have the opportunity to attend college right out of high school, but she was very proud of the fact that in her 40s, she attended college at night and became an administrative assistant for six schools. Anna and Bob retired and moved to Kalispell in 1985. 

When she was a teenager, Anna was in many varsity sports, and she swam so much in the summer her blond hair would turn green! Her cousin said, "Your mom skated like Sonja Henie (the Olympic gold medalist figure skater)." Anna loved to dance and was proud of taking first place in a ballroom dancing contest. Anna very much enjoyed making quilts and laughing with the Mountain Brook Ladies Club. She was a member of Adah Chapter No. 17 of Eastern Star, and her dad was a 33rd degree Mason. She enjoyed fishing, pinochle, puzzles, crocheting, quilting, cooking, baking and of course feeding grandchildren. In her late 80's she took up painting and created some very beautiful artwork.

Anna accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at 13 years old at a tent revival meeting. She attended the Methodist Church throughout her life and served for 20 years as a Sunday school teacher and helped with missionary group projects throughout her life. She served the Lord for 83 years. 

She is survived by her three remaining children, Linda (Lin), Richard, and Gale. Her unforgettable daughter "Birdie" passed away in 2015. Anna has nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. 

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Immanuel Living Chapel/Auditorium at 10:30 a.m., followed by a lunch and music. Anna was loved by many people and will definitely be missed.